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Like Ariana Grande has shown, nobody is safe when it comes to inking yourself with foreign languages. Not even high-profile celebrities. Using Japanese Kanji symbols, the performer intended for the design to read "7 Rings" but it ended up saying "small charcoal grill" or "BBQ".

Turns out, these mistakes are relatively common. Whether it's because the client can't be bothered with actual research or a slip of the tattoo artist's hand, there are pictures of people "wearing" designs in honor of toilet demons and sexual fantasies. And Bored Panda has collected the funniest ones. So scroll down, enjoy the images, and upvote your faves.

#1

Well That’s Just Unfortunate…

Tattoo with foreign text on wrist, mistakenly translated as "toilet demon," highlighting terrible tattoo translation choices.

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S.
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Found my new stage name.

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Tattoo artist Lauren Harper said although she can't speak for everyone in the industry, judging from what she sees online, these designs seem pretty popular.

"I would have to say that, unfortunately, the client is probably responsible if these tattoos go wrong," Harper told Bored Panda. "They sign a waiver agreeing to the spelling of the tattoo and if the artist doesn't speak the language they're requesting, it's definitely on them to make sure it's correct."

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    #2

    Why Human Translation Is Valuable

    Foreign language tattoo on a person's back, showcasing a humorous translation error.

    This one has been making the rounds. Apparently, this young lady wanted to surprise her boyfriend with a tattoo that reads “I love you”. Instead, it reads “Babylon is one of the world’s leading dictionary and translation programs”

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    S.
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ah, those precious 11 words... So romantic.

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    As with any tattoo, Harper suggests people do their research before sitting down to get a foreign language one. "Hopefully, they might know someone who speaks or writes the language they'd like tattooed so they can confirm, if not, there's always the Internet to turn to! Forums, Google translate. Although these avenues definitely come with their own set of risks that clients are hopefully aware of," she said, smiling.

    Kevin Blankinship, a professor of Arabic at Brigham Young University, regularly gets requests to verify tattoos or to admire the ones people already have. He doesn't think proper grammar is the most important thing when it comes to inking yourself. "Laughing at tattoo 'fails' has become a favorite pastime of academic linguists and internet trolls," Blankinship said after recalling one mishap. "For them, blunders of spelling and meaning betray a vapid, commodified globalism that forever marks the victims. But for thousands of people—including my yoga teacher—getting a foreign script etched onto the skin is part of a universal search for significance and sentimental attachment. People risk embarrassment because foreign-language tattoos give them a permanent invitation to contemplate cultures and ideas beyond their own."

    According to the professor, that effort can still succeed even if the tattoos have errors.

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    #3

    I Meeeeeean…

    Tattoo of a foreign character intended to mean God's Love, but translates to "madman."

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    wandile dludlu
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At least this one translates so something cool

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    #4

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Terrible tattoo choices with misunderstood foreign characters on an arm.

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    S.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a... lovely proposal(?)

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    #5

    Much Appreciated

    Tattoo in a foreign language misinterpreted, meant to say "Appreciate life" but actually means "I'm rotten."

    This is a particularly cruel prank. What this actually says is “ana mu’affan”, “I am rotten”.

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    nanashi
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    PLEASE do not tattoo languages you know nothing about, even if you consult a native speaker. some people are mean.

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    #6

    They Certainly Were “Taken Advantage Of”

    Two people with foreign language tattoos on their ankles, unaware of the meaning, leading to humorous tattoo choices.

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    ML
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That tattoo artist definitely knew the true meaning of the tattoo

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    #7

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Tattoo with foreign characters translated to "s****l fantasy" causing laughter among language readers.

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    ML
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What she was to her tattooist.

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    #8

    Her Tattoo Says "Fresh Spring Rolls" In Thai

    Person with a tattoo in a foreign language on their back, highlighting a humorous tattoo choice.

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    S.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Food is love, food is life.

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    #9

    “A Queef Perhaps”, Indeed

    Tattoo with foreign characters on arm, humorously mistranslated by someone fluent in the language.

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    #10

    Never Use A Hungry Tattoo Artist…

    Funny foreign language tattoo reading "miso" on a woman's leg during a flight; humorous tattoo choice.

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    S.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, miso soup is really good

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    #11

    Chinese Tattoos Gone Wrong

    Collage of tattoos with mistranslations in foreign languages, featuring phrases like "Mad Diarrhea" and "Rice Fried by Pork Fat."

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    S.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Meanie crime poet is my hero

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    #12

    Shout Out To This Mexican Tattoo Artist

    Tattoo with foreign characters on a leg, humorously mistranslated as "Mexican" instead of "brave or strong."

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    #13

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Tattoo on a man's leg with incorrect translation, intended to say "Ride Hard Die Free," using foreign language characters.

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    Eagle Girl
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well that's an image that might finally get the US election out of my mind. Thanks :P

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    #14

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Back tattoo with mistranslated foreign text, humorous tattoo choice in a busy outdoor setting.

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    Eagle Girl
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd add wings, using the characters as the body, transform it into a butterfly

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    #15

    Today I Learned That My Friends Chinese Tattoo Literally Means "Turkey Sandwich"

    Person with a tattoo in a foreign language, humorously translated as "turkey sandwich" on a phone screen.

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    ML
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And no one bothers to check before permanently inked.

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    #16

    Maybe She’s Into Grilling…

    Tattoo with foreign language characters referencing a Japanese charcoal grill instead of intended meaning.

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    ML
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like a doll's hand not a real hand. But then again the tattoo also is not what it appears.

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    #17

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Terrible tattoo choice with foreign language characters misunderstood as "freedom."

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    nanashi
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Freedom/Liberty in Japanese is 自由 (jiyuu) btw

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    #18

    Heavily Smitten, I Guess?

    Foreign language tattoo mistake meaning "heavy" instead of intended "smitten."

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    Eagle Girl
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Starting to think it's the norm for tattoo artists to put what they really think of you when you chose symbols you know nothing of

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    #19

    Supportive Spouse

    Tattoo with foreign characters on an arm, highlighting amusing translation choices in languages.

    This one reads “husband head empty”.

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    S.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Head empty no thoughts only wife

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    #20

    This Person Will Never Need To Struggle Ordering In A Chinese Restaurant Again

    Tattoo in foreign language reads "chicken noodle soup" on person's shoulder.

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    #21

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Tattoo with foreign characters on a person's arm, humorously cited as a gibberish font.

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    Eagle Girl
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He made the tattoo. Did he think he'd get lucky & it would be an actual word?

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    #22

    It Like Literally Says This Is Tattoo Hahaha

    Tattoo with a skull and crossed swords, featuring foreign language text on a person's arm.

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    ML
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, pointing out the obvious.

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    #23

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Tattoo with characters meant to be "fear no man," mistakenly translated as "coffin man" due to incorrect language usage.

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    S.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do you know the coffin man, the coffin man, the coffin man — ?

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    #24

    Boastful Rice Village (He Thought It Was His Daughter's Name)

    Man with foreign language tattoo, displaying characters on his forearm in a tattoo parlor.

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    Anna Qi
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This should be a phonetic translation of Jeremy.

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    #25

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Tattoo with foreign language character on arm meant to say "warrior" but translates to "waterfall."

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    nanashi
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is one of my personal favorite kanji. it's when you combine dragon and water you get the image of falling dragon into the water, thus a waterfall!

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    #26

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Tattoo with foreign language characters translated as "a watery waste; to reach."

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    S.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Genuinely curious; if you don't know what a foreign phrase means, then why get it tattooed?

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    #27

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Neck tattoo with foreign characters translating to "place dog" raises humor.

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    Anna Qi
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    所 is pronounced “suo”, and 狗 is pronounced “gou”. So it could be a very failed attempt at trying to translate phonetically. But these are not typical characters you would use in a name. Especially not 狗 which means dog.

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    #28

    Carbs Are Important

    Colorful tattoo with koi fish and flower, featuring a symbol that translates to "Rice," illustrating funny foreign language tattoo choices.

    So, supposedly this was supposed to be Qi, a primal force of life in eastern philosophy. What it says is “rice”. How did that happen? If we were to guess, it’s because in traditional Chinese, the lower component of the Qi character 氣 is similar (but not identical) to rice 米

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    Nagawa (Cofa) Kishiki
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most eastern asia eat rice as primary energy source anyway.

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    #29

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Tattoo in Chinese characters with incorrect translation, showing the humor in picking foreign language text.

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    #30

    Ooh, Yolanda Sounds Like A Freak

    Tattoo in foreign language reads "field of excess and chaos," not "Yolanda."

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    #31

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Back tattoo with incorrect foreign language characters humorously translated as "chicken fried rice."

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    Eagle Girl
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Characters aside, Love the cherry blossoms

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    #32

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Back tattoo with incorrect foreign language translation in a store setting.

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    Eric Mac Fadden
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's a lot of these in Brazil - same for t-shirts

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    #33

    Funny-Language-Tattoo-Fail

    Tattoo of foreign characters, intended to mean prosperity, actually translates to "abundant/mound" with floral design.

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    #34

    Protip: When Getting A Tattoo In Another Language, Make Sure It's Not Upside Down.

    Tattoo with foreign language characters on an arm, illustrating a humorous tattoo choice.

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